Peter Lalor’s top 20 beers of 2020

It was beer we turned to when the pandemic shut us down. Sales have gone through the roof. Peter Lalor names his ‘Goldilocks’ brews in an extraordinary year.

Peter Lalor's top 20 beers of 2020.

It was beer we turned to when the pandemic shut us down, just as it was beer that former generations embraced in times of plague. St Arnold of Soissons, a priest and brewer in the 11th century, advised peasants during an outbreak to drink beer, not water. Because the water for beer is boiled, those who followed his guidance survived while others didn’t. It was certainly better advice than injecting bleach.

St Arnold was given a church gong for this miracle and became known as the patron saint of hops and brewers (Christ was more a wine man, but it’s a broad church). His devotees were out in force in the 2020 plague. You lot were drinking like it was the End Times.

At first craft breweries reeled as pubs sent back kegs, but before anyone could wash their hands there was a queue forming for the canned product. Sales went through the roof. People rallied around their local breweries and one Sydney outfit reported that June — traditionally its worst month — was the best month it had seen in 10 years of selling beer.

And the beers? It’s like they’re all desperately vying for our attention; the fight to be different has thrown everybody into overdrive. There’s not a foodstuff that hasn’t been added to beer this year.

When seeking new beers, I clearly state my preference: “nothing with fruit in it” and “more hops isn’t always better”. No sooner do the words leave my mouth than I try Wildflower’s incredible range of blended sours (not sure they like that designation, but it will do) which have been blended with pears or somesuch and I am converted. Same story with La Sirene’s range. The hops diktat stands unchallenged.

THE LIST: PETER LALOR’S TOP 20 BEERS

Taste is an individual and evolving thing. I genuflect before a good lager and fell on my knees in front of Badlands’ efforts this year. I once loved weissbiers and now find them palatable only on certain occasions. The juicy/hazy fad has hung around; beers that smell like fruit salads abound but are getting a little trying. That said, you rarely come across a bad beer and the fact there are so many styles allows even the most prejudiced among us to find our Goldilocks brew. Hope you enjoy the list.

READ MORE: JAMES HALLIDAY’S TOP 100 WINES FOR 2020

Cricket and Beer: a great partnership

Hear Beer Editor Peter Lalor and his mate Gideon Haigh (who also happen to be Australia’s leading cricket journalists) on why bats, balls and brews just go together in our hit new podcast Cricket, Et Cetera. Find it in the podcast section of The Australian’s app (Apple App Store | Google Play Store), on cricketetc.com.au or on Apple Podcasts